Beowulf is a 1999 film loosely based on the Old English epic poem of the same name. Unlike most film adaptations of the poem, this version is a science-fiction/fantasy film that, according to one film critic, "takes place in a post-apocalyptic, techno-feudal future that owes more to Mad Max than Beowulf."[1] The film was directed by Graham Baker and written by Mark Leahy and David Chappe, and comes from the same producer as Mortal Kombat, which also starred Lambert. During that time, Lambert was supposed to reprise his role as Raiden in Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, but due to this film, he was unavailable and was replaced by James Remar.
While the film remains fairly true to the story of the original poem, other plot elements deviate from the original poem (Hrothgar has an affair with Grendel's mother, and they have a child together, Grendel; Hrothgar's wife commits suicide).
Plot
The setting is a post-industrial-looking castle that defends the border of an unnamed kingdom. It is terrorized by a demon, Grendel, who kills the castle's defenders one by one from the inside. Fighting his way through a garrison that guards the castle because of their superstitious belief that anyone who comes out will spread darkness into the world and prevents them from coming out or going in, Beowulf, a powerful warrior, offers his help to the castle's occupants. Hrothgar, who is king of the castle, welcomes his help.
Hrothgar has a daughter named Kyra. Another important character is Roland, who is probably the strongest soldier of the castle. Roland is in love with Kyra, but she does not love him back. It also becomes clear that once Hrothgar had had a wife who committed suicide after Hrothgar had an affair with another woman. This woman was an ancient being who had originally lived on the land on which the castle now stands. They had a child, Grendel.
Beowulf and Grendel fight, and they wound each other, but both recover.
Later Beowulf and Grendel fight again. Beowulf cuts Grendel's arm off with a retracting cestus. After this, the castle celebrates, as they believe Grendel has been slain. Kyra declares her love for Beowulf and he returns her affection. Kyra tells him that she killed her previous husband after he abused her. Beowulf tells her that his mother is human and his father is Baal, "God of darkness, Lord of lies". This explains his tremendous fighting prowess.
While Kyra is with Beowulf, all the other people in the castle are killed by Grendel's mother (and possibly Grendel). Beowulf kills Grendel by stabbing him and then kills his mother by stabbing her and cutting a fire vent placed in front of her, causing flames to engulf her and consume the castle. Beowulf escapes the falling castle with Kyra. The castle is destroyed, with Beowulf and Kyra the only survivors. They ride away into the credits.
Cast
Reception
Critical reaction to the film has been mixed. Danél Griffin of Film as Art said the film "understands that liberties must be taken with the poem's characters to create a more cinematic experience, and there are moments that, even in its liberties, it reveals a deep appreciation for the poem, and a profound understanding of its ideas. There are other moments, however, that seem so absurd and outlandish that we wonder if the writers, Mark Leahy and David Chappe, have even read the poem." Griffin added that "Lambert is certainly effective," but concluded that "clever ideas aside, the film is unfortunately mediocre at best. The set design and some of the revised storyline are both stupendous, but the overall experience makes for poor cinema."[1]
Beyond Hollywood's review said that "genre films don’t get any sillier than [this]", but called the film "above average." The review praised the film's "energetic action" and said that it "excels in set design," but added that "the techno [music] is pretty annoying."[2] Calling the film "a cheesy post-apocalyptic update of the ancient tale," Carlo Cavagna of About Film praised the film's action scenes but felt that Lambert and Mitra had no chemistry.[3]
Nathan Shumate of Cold Fusion Video Reviews also praised the film's action scenes, but felt it used all its good ideas in the first half, "leaving most of the rest of the movie to die of attrition." Shumate added, "That’s not to say that there are no effective scenes to be had, [but they] certainly can’t carry the full 90-minute running time." [...] Perhaps it’s truly impossible to come up with a definitive film version of this epic. But I wouldn’t want to make a judgement on that simply due to this attempt’s mediocrity.[4]
Soundtrack
References
- ^ a b "In Depth: Beowulf: The Movie(s)", Danél Griffin, Film as Art
- ^ Beowulf (1999) review, Beyond Hollywood, February 11, 2005
- ^ Beowulf (1999) review, Carlo Cavagna, About Film
- ^ Beowulf (1999) review, Nathan Shumate, Cold Fusion Video Reviews, November 23, 2000
External links
